Gunn has been laying the groundwork for Rocket's origins since the first Guardians of the Galaxy, with his cybernetic implants and scars revealed in prison. Rocket has also shown an exceptional ability to escape captivity and a propensity for invention. However, Rocket struggles to trust others, including the Guardians in the first two installments. With the High Evolutionary as the main villain in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it's clear he is a key part of Rocket's past. Pieces of Rocket's past have also been revealed, including his friendship with three other High Evolutionary experiments: Lyla, Floor, and Teefs. Although it has always been clear that Rocket's past is tragic, these hints point to his larger arc throughout the Guardians trilogy, including his struggles to trust and connect with others. Rocket is an experiment, but what the goal was for the individual that created him has remained a mystery.
Rocket has never fully dealt with what happened to him, but over time he has become more of a protector and caretaker for Groot, the other Guardians, and the universe. His friendship with Nebula may have grown not only because they were the only two left after Thanos but also because they likely had similar traumas in their pasts. While Peter Quill has outwardly seemed like the hero, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 may change that, showing that the true hero of the trilogy has always been Rocket.
Thank You So Much For Watching! Stay Tuned! Stay Buzzed!
